2021 BMW 5 Series problems and complaints
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW 5 Series. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (8), Service Brakes (4), Power Train (3).
Key takeaways
- 28 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 2 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 0 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 29% |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 14% |
| Power Train | 3 | 11% |
| Engine | 3 | 11% |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 11% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 11% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 7% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 7% |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 7% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Parts for the 2021 BMW 5 Series
GarageDex's verified specs for this car. Each Buy button searches Amazon for that exact part.
- Battery
- Engine oil
- Wiper blades
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| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW 5 Series 4 DR AWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2021 BMW 5 Series 4 DR RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Electrical System - filed 2026-11-04
What happened: I noticed a burning electrical smell and traced it to the 48V battery cable connection at the 48V battery under the cowl. The insulation was charred, bubbled and cracked, with bare copper exposed at the cable lug. The 48V system gave no warning light or sensor alert — the failure was found by smell only....
Power Train - filed 2026-09-21
In August 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced an active safety recall under campaign number 26V525000 for certain 2021–2023 BMW vehicles experiencing severe driveshaft-to-rear-differential connection failures that result in an immediate loss of motive power and vehicle rollaway risks. Sh...
Power Train,electrical System,engine - filed 2026-07-10
Starter engine failure. Car failed to start multiple times. Major safety hazard that can cause a short circuit, melt wiring harnesses, and spark an engine bay fire posing an immediate threat to life. Problem was inspected and confirmed by a dealer. Multiple waring lamps and messages appeared. Dealer report stated: STAR...
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More for the 2021 BMW 5 Series
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.